- the design of work, including job dema- the design of work, including job demands and tasks involved

- the design of work, including job demands and tasks involved

Considering how the work is designed will support you to eliminate hazards at the source and at the organisational level.

Control measures for psychosocial hazards should predominantly be considered at an organisational, work and system design level (e.g. organisational resilience) rather than at an individual level (e.g. individual resilience and stress management), although some circumstances may require responses at both levels.

Focusing on higher level control measures that address work design will ensure the risk of harm is addressed at the source, rather than inferior measures that only reduce the impact of harm after it has occurred.

Effective work design considers:

o the work: how work is performed, including the physical, mental and emotional demands of the tasks and activities, the task duration, frequency, and complexity, and the context and systems of work
o the physical working environment: the plant, equipment, materials and substances used, and the vehicles, buildings, structures that are workplaces
o the workers: physical, emotional and mental capacities and needs.

Your workers should have an appropriate amount of work to match their skills and experience. For example, a job designed with too much work for a worker of that skill level to complete with the resources provided, or tasks that do not match that worker’s skillset will create hazards. Matching tasks to workers’ skills and scheduling non-urgent tasks for times of lower demand may assist to control risks.

See the Safe Work Australia Handbook: Principles of Good Work Design for more information about how to achieve good work design and work processes.